Transcript Highlights:

• As a result, many survivors see their insurance claims As a result, many survivors see their insurance
• It requires insurers to follow wildfire-specific public health guidance for smoke claims, ending insurer-by-insurer
• It also prohibits insurers from terminating additional living expenses until ...prohibits insurers from
• Allison Orr here on behalf of the Personal Insurance Federation in an opposed-unless-amended position
• I want to associate myself with the comments of my colleague from the Personal Insurance Federation.

Committee: House Insurance

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and the the um uh Employment Security and the the federal<00:36:40.920><c> government</c><00:36:41.880
• carrier Andor insurance the insurance carrier Andor insurance policy<01:25:08.040><c> is</c><01:25:08.159
• Is that the insurance company? I believe currently it is the insurance company, yes.
• ><c> insurance</c><03:22:16.120><c> carrier</c> carrier my insurance carrier carrier my insurance carrier
• </c> don't have insurance companies they they don't have insurance companies they they insure<03:35:06.080

Committee: House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, administrative funding for the unemployment insurance program comes primarily from the federal government
• Um, administrative funding for the unemployment insurance program comes primarily from the federal government
• Um, administrative funding for the unemployment insurance program comes primarily from the federal government
• Um, administrative funding for the unemployment insurance program comes primarily from the federal government
• </c> insurance. Thank you so much. insurance. Thank you so much.

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Fix through the insurance policies in our state.
• There's no insurance for me.
• Have any of the insurance companies said to you, have you met with any insurance company that provides
• this insurance?
• And we don't know whether the insurance part or...

Committee: House Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• They pay their federal...” “And it’s common sense.
• And the federal government system reflects that reality.
• , state, county, and local elections pursuant to federal law.
• The bill amends the insurance code concerning mine subsidence insurance and potential recovery under
• the mine subsidence insurance fund established within BRIM.

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Summary: The Senate considered and passed a series of House bills on third reading, with several title amendments and a few effective-date motions adopted. Early in the session, members passed HB 4452 removing acreage limits on land owned by church or religious trustees, HB 4577 creating reciprocal driver’s license recognition agreements with Ireland and Japan, HB 4588 authorizing West Virginia participation in a federal tax credit scholarship program, and HB 4592 requiring higher education institutions to create coordinated campus safety maps. HB 4602 was amended to align with a prior Senate child welfare pilot program, and members discussed its projected cost and implementation timeline before passing it. HB 4603 created a pre-adjudicatory alternative disposition process in abuse and neglect cases, and HB 4606 narrowed bail rules by requiring consideration of residency and community ties while prohibiting personal recognizance bonds for violent felony offenses after an adopted amendment. The Senate also passed HB 4710 changing the party-registration deadline for candidates from 60 to 180 days before an election, with debate over its impact on independents, and made it effective January 1, 2027. HB 4712, known as Bailey’s Law, increased penalties for DUI causing death and related conduct, with emotional testimony from members about the victim and similar tragedies. HB 4765 established a pay raise for teachers, school personnel, and state police and added a market-pay enhancement system based on county cost-of-living differences; an amendment to the amendment capped county differentials and guaranteed at least a 1% increase in every county. HB 4865 created an optional program for high school and homeschool students to serve as election official trainees, and HB 4869 established narrow guaranteed-issue rights for Medicare supplement policies. Later bills included HB 4995, which strengthened video/audio recording rules in special education classrooms and was passed, then reconsidered and passed again; HB 4996 creating a new crime for making threats of violence against schools or children; HB 5048 guaranteeing virtual instruction for foster children in temporary placement; HB 5065 adding recordkeeping and geolocation requirements for hotel marketplace facilitators to ensure proper hotel tax remittance; and HB 5074 reallocating medical cannabis fund revenues to child protection, homeless services, research, law enforcement, and other purposes. The Senate also passed HB 5101, the Joanna Phillips Domestic Violence Prevention Act, which increased penalties for domestic violence offenses and adjusted bail provisions, after amending it to conform with the earlier bail bill. Additional measures passed included HB 5166 requiring notice before political committees are fined for filing violations and allowing limited extensions, HB 5168 directing $12 million in lottery funds to EMS first responders and county EMS support, HB 5182 authorizing certain state treasurer security personnel to carry concealed firearms, HB 5212 streamlining higher-education financial aid rules, HB 5214 allowing court-ordered drug testing of parents before reunification in abuse and neglect cases, HB 5353 regulating virtual currency kiosks with licensing, disclosures, and transaction limits, and HB 5366 exempting J-LAP records from FOIA to protect confidentiality for lawyers and judges seeking assistance. Most bills passed with strong bipartisan support, though HB 5074 and HB 5353 drew some dissenting votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• So we're going to make sure that going forward, the system is even more secure. And it is not.
• Going forward, the system is even more secure.
• And it also doesn't actually impact the federal policy as well. All right. It's okay.
• And it also doesn't actually impact the federal policy as well. All right. It's okay.
• The federal government removed that.

Summary: House and Senate Republican leaders held a media availability focused on the final stretch of the legislative session, with most of the discussion centered on budget proposals, a proposed income tax on high earners, and several policy bills they oppose. They criticized the operating budget for relying on a new income tax, using one-time fund sweeps and pension-related financing, and drawing down the rainy day fund, while saying the capital budget was more bipartisan and the transportation budget had some positive emphasis on road preservation but still included concerns such as Public Works Trust Fund sweeps and ferry funding. A major topic was allegations that sign-ins on the income tax bill included duplicates or fraudulent entries. Republicans said they took the issue seriously, supported verification improvements, and argued that even after removing duplicates the bill still drew over 100,000 unique emails opposing it. They rejected claims that their side had manipulated the process and said the Legislature should fix the sign-in system, possibly with more IT safeguards, while also arguing the bill should lose its emergency clause so voters could weigh in through a referendum. Republicans also criticized bills they described as anti-police or anti-law-enforcement, including measures related to face coverings and sheriff qualifications, and they opposed a bill requiring arbitration before claims against the state or local governments can go to jury trial, saying broader tort reform is needed instead. They said the state’s liability problems stem from harm done in areas like juvenile rehabilitation and child welfare. On the budget side, they objected to cuts to Medicaid, child care, transitional kindergarten, rural school funding, and other programs, while also warning against using pension funds to balance the budget and against a proposed 75-year Sound Transit bond, which they called financially irresponsible. No votes were taken in this media availability.

Transcript Highlights:

• Are there opportunities that you see to direct federal funding?
• I think so, look, there are funding pots from federal highways.
• One, homeowner's insurance and business, you know, fire insurance will just. through the roof, you know
• going forward that's based on a cyber security event that we had in March of 2024.
• And then, of course, the uncertainty around federal policy.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It directs federal reimbursements back into the general revenue.
• We align the state law with some federal laws in the transportation world.
• The bill doesn't address that on a federal law piece.
• Is there a notice requirement to the insured?
• Members, we need to remember that Citizens insurance was created as the insurance of last resort.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, a moment of silence for former Judge John Carlin, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a recognition of FSU Police Officer Cody Popple for his actions during the April campus shooting. The Speaker also outlined the final week of session, noting the House would focus on Senate bills and returning messages, and that the 2026-27 budget would not be completed by the end of the week. The chamber then adopted the special order calendar for the day. The House passed several technical and open-government bills, mostly on strong bipartisan votes. These included SB 100, SB 104, and SB 102 on the Florida Statutes and reviser changes; SB 7006, SB 7014, SB 7002, SB 7012, SB 7024, SB 7016, SB 7026, SB 7008, SB 7000, and SB 7004, which extended or preserved various public records or meeting exemptions involving the Public Service Commission, social media investigations, military affairs, highway safety investigations, cybersecurity, small business loan records, trade secrets, emergency shelter locations, and conviction integrity units. Members asked questions on several of these bills, especially about the scope and purpose of the exemptions, but the bills generally advanced with little opposition. The chamber also took up more substantive measures. SB 7040 recreated the emergency preparedness and response trust fund and drew extended debate over whether the fund had been misused for the Everglades detention facility; an Escamani amendment to let the fund expire failed, while a Griffiths amendment adding limits and oversight was adopted, and the bill ultimately passed 82-25. CS/CS/SB 302 on coastal resiliency passed unanimously after supporters highlighted nature-based shoreline protection and a Biscayne Bay provision. CS/CS/SB 984 on firefighter cancer benefits passed after a House amendment aligned it with the House version. CS/SB 474 on military affairs passed unanimously after an amendment allowing local governments to extend Guard leave. SB 488 on the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles was debated extensively over vehicle registration requirements, license plate frames, and I-94 documentation, with amendments including one for disabled veterans and another on dealer allocation; the transcript cuts off before final disposition of that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><01:39:32.080><c> of</c> which puts the retirement security of which puts the retirement security
• </c> in 210 million uh paid back in federal in 210 million uh paid back in federal state<01:43:33.960
• decrease in my Social Security of decrease in my Social Security of another another another $377<03:25
• disability insurance insurance and disability insurance benefits<05:15:00.040><c> which</c><05:15:00.600
• You don't have any insurance.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 622, but after the sponsor said further research raised concerns, he asked that the bill be tabled. The committee then moved in executive session and voted unanimously to find the bill inexpedient to legislate, sending it to consent. The committee also retained House Bill 349, the ophthalmologic laser bill, after members said more time was needed for the professions involved to work out training standards and provide additional information; that motion also passed unanimously. The committee then discussed House Bill 244, a municipal building/fire code recodification measure. Members said the bill needed more review and careful scrutiny because of its length and possible unintended effects, and they voted unanimously to retain it as well. House Bill 534 was then heard; the sponsor said the bill did not do what was intended because of a misunderstanding about current processing, and the committee voted inexpedient to legislate and placed it on consent. The committee next considered House Bill 233, with an amendment to remove a requirement affecting the New Hampshire Vaccine Association. Supporters argued the bill would reduce an unnecessary burden and improve transparency, while opponents said the committee should not single out one private 501(c)(3) organization. The amendment was adopted 8-5, and the bill as amended then passed 7-6; a minority report was requested. Finally, the committee opened House Bill 536, a proposed 1.5% cost-of-living adjustment for certain state retirees. The sponsor and supporters argued retirees had not received adequate COLAs and that the bill would help offset inflation, while the retirement system testified that the proposal would add significant costs, including an estimated $1.5 million for the state, $6.6 million for political subdivisions, and about $100.7 million in present-value unfunded liability, with the impact reflected in future employer contribution rates.

Transcript Highlights:

• security, judicial security.
• , security, security, legislative<00:13:17.880><c> security,</c><00:13:18.880><c> capital</c><00:13:19.320
• ><c> grounds</c> legislative security, capital grounds legislative security, capital grounds security
• </c><00:13:21.960><c> So,</c> security, judicial security. So, security, judicial security.
• insurance insurance uh<00:27:39.160><c> landscape.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Allison Soto, on behalf of the Personal Insurance Federation of California.
• Allison 80 here on behalf of the Personal Insurance Federation of California.
• Federal law already prohibits genetic discrimination in health insurance and employment.
• insurance, were also concerned that it could affect their health insurance, even though health insurance
• insurance strategy.

Summary: The committee heard several insurance-related bills. AB 69, AB 1554, and AB 1680 all focused on California’s insurance market and the Fair Plan. AB 69 would require clearer notices to Fair Plan policyholders about coverage options, quarterly public reporting on clearinghouse programs, and additional broker/agent training to help depopulate the Fair Plan while preserving consumer choice. AB 1554 would require the California Earthquake Authority to post its annual report online and send it to relevant committees, and would direct the Insurance Commissioner to convene a working group on incorporating hazard mitigation into risk-transfer recommendations. AB 1680 would require the Fair Plan to comply with CDI examination findings, hire more staff, and improve clearinghouse operations; the Fair Plan moved from opposition to neutral after amendments, and the department said the bill would strengthen accountability and consumer protections. These bills were held pending quorum or taken up later, with authors requesting aye votes. AB 2198, by Assemblymember Rodriguez, would clarify title insurance rate-filing rules by specifying that title insurers file title rates and underwritten title companies file escrow rates, reducing duplicative filings and requiring rate schedules to be posted online. The California Land Title Association supported the bill, saying it codified longstanding practice and improved transparency, while the department continued discussions about possible revisions. The bill was left open for further questions and a later vote. AB 1795, by Assemblymember Gibson, would create statewide standards for inspecting, testing, and remediating smoke damage in wildfire-affected homes. The author and the Department of Insurance said the bill would establish science-based standards, protect survivors from unsafe reentry, require training and certification for relevant professionals, and improve claims handling; the department also described serious gaps found in its Fair Plan examination and recent wildfire claims. Insurers and some residents opposed or opposed unless amended, arguing the bill was still too broad, could raise costs, relied too much on industry standards, and left unresolved issues about legal standards, timing, and coverage. The bill remained under discussion, with the author saying negotiations would continue. AB 311, by Assemblymember McKinnor, would create an optional telematics-based auto insurance program to reward safer driving and improve road safety. Supporters, including road-safety advocates, victims’ families, and some insurance representatives, argued telematics could reduce speeding and distracted driving and save lives. Opponents, including privacy and consumer groups, argued the bill would create opaque surveillance pricing, undermine Prop. 103, and raise privacy and fairness concerns. After extensive debate, the committee passed the bill on a 3-0 vote and placed it on call. AB 1798, by Assemblymember Wilson, would bar life and disability insurers from using non-diagnostic genetic information from direct-to-consumer or other predictive genetic testing to deny coverage or raise premiums, while preserving use of medical history and family history and allowing consideration of certain high-value policies above $1.5 million. Supporters said the bill would reduce genetic discrimination and encourage testing; insurers argued genetic information is relevant to underwriting and warned the bill could raise costs and create inconsistencies. The committee chair and members noted the bill was close to agreement but still needed work, and the bill was moved with a 3-0 vote and placed on call.

Transcript Highlights:

• As a state employee, I'm a current state employee, and my insurance—we have some of the best insurance—I
• My insurance, an insurance here with CalPERS, does not offer it, only in the sense that if a person is
• Omar Lazzardo with the California Federation of Labor Unions.
• Sarah Flachs, California Federation of Labor Unions, in strong support.
• The federal government wants to audit people in poverty.

Committee: Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• insurance product, not only because it contains insurance and non-insurance components, but also because
• insurance product, not only because it contains insurance and non-insurance components, but also because
• ><c> unique</c><00:58:12.720><c> insurance</c> &gt;&gt; Travel insurance is a unique insurance &gt;&gt
• ,</c> insurance and non- insurance components, insurance and non- insurance components, but<00:58:17.440
• Travel insurance is a unique product within the industry because it contains both insurance and non-insurance

Bills: HF3604 , HF2236 , HF3709 , HF3766 , HF2400

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Keywords: bulk fuel, nonoxygenated gasoline, environment, exemption criteria, transportation, HF2236, Minnesota commerce, obsolete language, statutory cleanup, retail installment contract, consumer credit, vehicle financing, auto loans, retail buyer, retail seller, delinquency charge, collection fee, attorney fees, assignment notice, payment receipt

Transcript Highlights:

• This is a state bill that doesn't involve federal... Federal veterans? You said veterans, right?
• imposed by federal law now.
• or revoke a license, because if you commit a federal crime, the federal law might say you cannot have
• this federal law.
• Well, those are dealing with insurance, which would be securities, right? Banking and medical.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill allows a person to use the Social Security.
• We care about this because we care about what we're paying for insurance.
• The prices we pay for insurance are premiums.
• We care about this because we care about what we're paying for insurance.
• The prices we pay for insurance are premiums.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to the delivery, storage, and disposal of certain personal property, referred to the Committee on Insurance
• HB 3502 by King, relating to annual statistical reporting on the fixing of title insurance premium rates
• , referred to the Committee on Insurance.
• HB 3520 by Spiller, relating to automobile liability insurance requirements for transportation network
• company drivers, referred to the Committee on Insurance.

Summary: The House met briefly to read a large number of first-reading bills, joint resolutions, and concurrent resolutions and refer them to the appropriate committees. The measures covered a wide range of topics, including public health, education, criminal justice, taxation, transportation, water and natural resources, elections, housing, veterans issues, local government, and constitutional amendments. Several bills focused on school policy, health care regulation, property tax and sales tax changes, criminal penalties, and local or state agency authority. Among the notable items were proposals on name and sex changes on birth records, college admissions inquiries into criminal history, foster care contractor liability, school nutrition and assessment policy, election procedures, homestead and franchise tax exemptions, public retirement system reporting, and numerous transportation and infrastructure measures. The House also received resolutions designating local honors and observances, including Brownsville as the bicycling capital of the Rio Grande Valley, Port Aransas as the fishing capital of Texas, and Selena Quintanilla Perez Day. Some measures proposed constitutional amendments on legislative procedure, homestead taxation, and election-law enforcement authority. No debate or testimony occurred in this segment; the action was limited to first reading and referral. The session also referred several resolutions to the Local and Consent Calendars. At the end of the proceedings, the House adjourned without objection until 2 p.m. Tuesday.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> 2017 and then in 2018 the federal 2017 and then in 2018 the federal government<00:05:20.680><c>
• The federal aspect of this, but even if the federal law were to change, our state law prohibits this.
• </c> your time to speak but um for security your time to speak but um for security reasons<00:16:58.560
• </c><01:59:59.800><c> law</c> you see are required under federal law you see are required under federal
• <02:10:19.920><c> and</c><02:10:20.159><c> CMS</c><02:10:21.159><c> uh</c> insurers and CMS uh insurers

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, that's true with any insurer, correct? Yes.
• Members, this bill helps Texas Mutual Insurance find qualified individuals for the board.
• . securities, equities, and other assets.
• Pre-authorization exemption status for the Committee on Insurance.
• , referred to the Committee on Insurance.

Bills: HJR138 , HB42 , HB 104 , HB 129 , HB677 , HB426 , HB668 , HB1699 , HB2017 , HB2128 , HB2038 , HB3783 , HB3717 , HB2316 , HB3686 , HB2563 , HB3883 , HB4021 , HB2788 , HB2663 , HB3305 , HB3173 , HB3474 , HB 1105 , HB3531 , HB3490 , HB3597 , HB 1295 , HB3512 , HB3010 , HB3112 , HB4215 , HB3223 , HB3464 , HB3120 , HB4214 , HB4511 , HB3704 , HB4081 , HB4783 , HB4063 , HB2783 , HB4937 , HB5085 , HB2510 , HB3426 , HB4361 , HB 1169 , HB2516 , HB2347 , HB4034 , HB4700 , HB3560 , HB5150 , HB3860 , HB3146 , HB3924 , HCR98 , HCR92 , HB1520 , HB1545 , HB5265 , HB1887 , HB1914 , HB2402 , HB2306 , HB2350 , HB3000 , HB3237 , HB3326 , HB3211 , HB 1056 , HB2081 , HB2187 , HB3092 , HB3308 , HB3526 , HB3750 , HB4219 , HB4230 , HB4290 , HB5238 , HB4804 , HB4749 , HB245 , HB1465 , HB294 , HB793 , HB809 , HB3928 , HB334 , HB2037 , HB1973 , HB285 , HB4341 , HB 1043 , HB 1234 , HB 1193 , HB1729 , HB2498 , HB1314 , HB1353 , HB3960 , HB3923 , HB2221 , HB2517 , HB2518 , HB2213 , HB5092 , HB3748 , HB5246 , HB4344 , HB1482 , HB4044 , HB2702 , HB4264 , HB2807 , HB2898 , HB3181 , HB3250 , HB2091 , HB2115 , HB2542 , HB2768 , HB3349 , HB4406 , HB1593 , HB1899 , HB3133 , HB3133 , HB4960 , HB3214 , HB2145 , HB 1201 , HB5061 , SB29 , SB879 , SB65 , SB1745 , SB412 , SB412 , SB1746 , SB1238 , SB1341 , SB522 , SB1532 , SB1378 , SB1062 , SB2066 , SB1963 , SB2204 , SB1366 , SB2077 , SB1967 , SB1151 , HB1618 , HB2156 , HB2615 , HB2615 , HB2349 , HB1926 , HB569 , HB1762 , HB38 , HJR138 , HB42 , HB 104 , HB 104 , HB 129 , HB677 , HB426 , HB668 , HB1699 , HB2017 , HB2128 , HB2038 , HB3783 , HB3717 , HB2316 , HB3686 , HB2563 , HB3883 , HB4021 , HB2788 , HB2663 , HB2663 , HB3305 , HB3173 , HB3474 , HB 1105 , HB3531 , HB3531 , HB3490 , HB3490 , HB3597 , HB 1295 , HB3512 , HB3010 , HB3112 , HB4215 , HB3223 , HB3223 , HB3464 , HB3120 , HB4214 , HB4511 , HB3704 , HB4081 , HB4783 , HB4063 , HB2783 , HB4937 , HB5085 , HB2510 , HB3426 , HB4361 , HB 1169 , HB2516 , HB2347 , HB4034 , HB4700 , HB3560 , HB5150 , HB3860 , HB3146 , HB3924 , HCR98 , HCR92

Keywords: carbon tax, carbon emissions, greenhouse gas, climate policy, fuel tax, emissions tax, Texas Constitution, Article VIII, tax limitation, environmental tax, fossil fuels, energy policy, legislative taxing authority, ballot proposition, constitutional amendment, higher education, funding, financial allocation, state budget, Texas A&M University

Transcript Highlights:

• There are insurance companies that will... not insure the homes in the HOA because there's not a proper
• If I receive monies from the federal government directly to the county...
• Not federal dollars.
• It allocates federal tax dollars as opposed to state tax dollars.
• I'm talking about the federal government.

Bills: SB434 , SB844 , SB898 , SB1177 , SB1214 , SB1454 , SB1920 , SB1927 , SB1935 , SB1965 , SB2010 , SB2046 , SB2068 , SB2073 , SB2183 , SB2260 , SB3034 , SB907

Committee: Senate Local Government

Keywords: SB 434, Harris County Hospital District, hospital district police, peace officers, commissioned officers, law enforcement authority, Health and Safety Code, Code of Criminal Procedure, public safety, hospital security, county hospital district, local government, Texas criminal procedure, district police, armed security, SB 898, low income housing tax credits, LIHTC, affordable housing, Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:25:05.279><c> and</c> security and security and affordability<00:25:07.760><c> in</c><00:25:07.919
• </c><03:27:15.120><c> or</c> nothing to promote election security or nothing to promote election security
• </c> address that issue in a timely secure address that issue in a timely secure crystalline<03:48:50.399
• I don't want to say insurance companies are denying claims intentionally.
• It's clearly an unfair advantage that the insurance companies have.

Keywords: 1189, house, all